Alamo rift divides group over revered Texas site

That battle cry renewed by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the century-old group of caretakers of the historic Alamo grounds, came after two rebelling members and the Alamo's former director this month said the 18th-century mission needs a better financial plan.

It was a clear shot fired at the Daughters, who have never operated the Alamo in the red. But neither side is backing down in the dispute over who knows what's best for Texas' most popular, and most revered, historic site.

"There is a real rift in the Daughters' structure," said David Stewart, 70, the Alamo's former director who stepped down in May after seven years. "This is the worst I've seen it."

Stewart and two members want the Alamo run more like a modern museum, with national accreditation and a business plan that includes foundation funding, licensing and marketing.

But the Daughters say history proves they're doing just fine. Gift-shop sales have successfully provided 90 percent of the site's $5.5 million operating budget, and the Alamo receives no state funding and offers free admission to its 2.5 million visitors each year.

The Daughters are the longtime custodians of the Alamo, site of the famous 1836 battle where an outnumbered band of Texas defenders staged a legendary stand before Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his Mexican forces seized the mission. During the victorious Battle of San Jacinto weeks later that led to the short-lived Republic of Texas, soldiers shouted, "Remember the Alamo!"

It's a story Texans know well, as is this one: the Daughters squabble. Bickering and internal politics have rippled through the Daughters since the state first handed over care of the Alamo to them in 1905.

But this week, the fighting led a breakaway group to established its own Alamo nonprofit. Erin Bowman, who formerly led a $60 million capital campaign for the Daughters before being fired, created the Alamo Endowment to raise money for preservation and educational programs.

Bowman said the fundraising is needed because the Daughters don't have the financial savvy to ensure the stability of the Alamo.

She claims the Daughters have dragged their feet for too long or are simply unwilling to seek national museum accreditation and create a business plan.

"There are so many avenues we can't take advantage of because of finances," said Dianne MacDiarmid, formerly the Alamo committee chairwoman of the Daughters who has partnered with Bowman.

Patti Atkins, president general of the Daughters, said the financial health of the Alamo is sound and called Bowman and MacDiarmid "disgruntled" members.

Atkins said the proof is in the history: every year, the 7,000-member Daughters keep the budget of the Alamo balanced.

"We have raised all the money and have not depended on taxpayer dollars," Atkins said. "I think the state of Texas has the best deal as anyone."